HIGHLANDERS, under new coach Bongani Mafu, will begin their preparations for the 2015 Castle Premiership season on Tuesday.

On Monday, Mafu will unveil his assistant coach, likely to be Bantu Rovers’ Mandla Mpofu, goalkeepers coach Peter Nkomo and new team manager Netsai Moyo.

Mpofu takes over from Mark Mathe, who was the interim coach for the second half of last season when Kelvin Kaindu quit while Nkomo has been retained from the old set-up. Moyo beat ZPC Kariba manager Patson Ndabambi to the manager’s post.

Said Mafu: “We will have a look at some of the players tomorrow (Monday) that have been on trials then we will start full training on Tuesday. We want to have a look at everybody before we decide on the final team for the season.

“We need a right back, left back, a younger goalkeeper and two strikers. We are encouraging everybody to be there, everyone will be given a chance.”

Out of contract players at Bosso like Charles Sibanda, Njabulo Ncube, Hillary Madzivanyika, Joel Ngodzo, Mthulisi Maphosa and Simon Munawa could be given a new lease of life, but Mafu’s renewed focus on juniors could also spell their end.

Trials at Highlanders were being conducted by technical director Cosmas Tsano Zulu, who will now hand over the recruits to the new team.

Mafu is hoping to get his first competitive match by the end of the month in the CG Msipa Charity Shield which will be contested by the defending champions, FC Platinum, Central Region Division One side Shabanie Mine and Chapungu.

Platinum, who start their preparations on Thursday, will be using the competition to prepare for the 2015 Caf Confederation Cup where they face Sofapaka of Kenya in the preliminary round, first leg on February 13.

Highlanders, on the other hand, will also have one eye on the elections on February 1. Incumbent chairman Peter Dube is likely to be retained with committee member Charles Moyo while the new secretary-general could be Emmett Ndlovu, replacing the ineligible Andrew Tapela.

Dynamos strengthen squad

DYNAMOShave shown intent on achieving a fifth straight league title after becoming the busiest club on the transfer market this off-season so far by signing four players.

The Harare giants have raided the camp of their fellow giants and city rivals Caps United by bringing in forwards Kelvin Bulaji and Dominic Chungwa.

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They have also swooped on ZPC Kariba utility defender Obey Mwerahari as well as another utility defender Godknows Murwira who was with Shabanie Mine last season.

Mwerahari and Murwira were together at Monomotapa a few seasons ago and returning Dynamos coach David Mandigora could have brought in the duo to double cover up the departure of center back Themba Ndlovu to Harare City.

Murwira is bracing himself for a tough challenge at Dynamos.

“Joining Dynamos is quiet a big challenge for me. But as a player you always want to face those challenges to make yourself a better person,” Murwira said.

“I am ready to start playing and help the club continue doing well. I am now looking forward to the new season where I will work hard to achieve the goals for the club. I cannot wait.”

With the future of some players uncertain at Dynamos, more signings are expected this January.